What Should You Have To Begin Camping, RVing, and/or OHVing?

The main thing you need to get started is desire. You just have to want to do it. Then decide where you'd like to go and how you'd like to get there. Next, decide exactly what you want to do and begin working toward acquiring the equipment, knowledge, and skills to do it.  Keep in mind just buying the right gear and equipment is only the beginning.  Before you can enjoy using it you're going to have to learn how to set it up, how to maintain it, and how to use it properly.  Proper use of camping, RV, and OHV equipment is necessary for safety as well as for enjoyment.

Here is a list of basic equipment to get you started:
    Tent or other shelter (RV, SUV, pickup with a camper shell)
    Sleeping bags or blankets
    Ice chest
    Cooking facilities: stove or portable BBQ
    Lantern or flashlight(s)
    Axe or hatchet
   Water jug

Some optional items to make things more comfortable:
    Camp chairs
    Folding table
    Canopy or large umbrella

These items will give you a good foundation to begin camping and from there you can build up your gear as you discover what works for you and what you need for added comfort and convenience. Watch your fellow campers to see whey they use and what works for them. There are other posts in this blog that give more detailed information on tools and equipment if you need or want some ideas to help you get started.

Tent camping. If you're going to start tent camping, obviously you'll need a tent. There are hundreds of designs to choose from. The kind of tent you need depends on several things: where you will be using it, how many people it needs to house, what kind of weather you expect to see, will it be a base camp or something you have to carry while hiking? How much can you afford to spend? Tents range from tiny, light weight back-packing tents that barely cover your sleeping bag to keep the dew and rain off to huge, multi-roomed affairs for large families. I had a 10x14 canvas cabin tent my Boy Scouts called "The Hotel". I also have a nifty little pop-up dome that takes about 3 seconds to set up. Just remove the strap and toss it up in the air. Poof! Instant tent! If you're going have to carry your tent while hiking, you will want something that is small and light. If you are setting up a base camp near your vehicle you can use a larger, heavier tent that gives you more room and may provide better protection against the elements. Because tents tend to be somewhat pricey, you may want to look for a good deal on a used tent. Check out your local classified ads or on-line sales such as ebay and craigslist. Sometimes you can find extraordinary deals on new tents on ebay. If you are buying a used tent, see if you can set it up before you take it home so you can make sure it is satisfactory condition and all the parts are there. Minor tears can be usually easily repaired. Stay away from articles with major damage or lack of significant components unless you are fully prepared to make the necessary repairs. Garage sales are often a good place to find used tents. Sometimes you will even find ones that have never even been taken out of the box! For successful tent camping you will need more than just a tent. You will need sleeping accommodations. Sleeping bags are the easiest and usually the most comfortable for camping but ordinary blankets and quilts can also be used. Some folks are reluctant to buy used sleeping bags, but they can be dry cleaned to ensure they are sanitary and safe to use and they usually come out just about like new. Some people like sleeping on folding camp cots instead of laying on the ground. Of course this isn't a viable option for hiking or back-packing or if you have chosen a small tent. Sleeping pads are light weight and easy to transport and add a lot of comfort over sleeping on the hard ground and twigs and rocks. You will also need a way to transport and preserve your food and water. An ice chest will usually do to keep refrigerated food safe for several days. Keep an eye on the ice and replace it before it is all gone to prevent your food from spoiling. Try to store your ice chest out of the sun and way from any direct sources of heat to prolong its usefulness. A simple plastic tub is one of the most convenient ways to organize and transport non-perishable foods, but you can also use a duffle bag or even plastic grocery bags (but they aren't very durable). You will need a way to cook in camp. Some folks opt to do all their cooking over a campfire. If that is your choice, a foldable grill will make many tasks easier. Other alternatives include your ordinary back-yard BBQ or hibachi and camp stoves. Don't try to cook inside your tent! It creates a high fire danger and the fumes and smoke can make you sick and can permeate the fabric, causing foul odors and premature discoloration and deterioration.

RVing. If you want to start out in an RV right away, you're first step is to determine what kind of RV you want. A lot of folks start out with a simple tent trailer and gradually work their way to what best meets their needs as they mature. Some retirees will jump right into a big, luxurious, Class A motorhome. Whatever you choose, do your homework before you buy. Consider how you will use the RV, how much you can afford to spend, where you will use it, and where you will store it. I can't tell you which RV is right for you. What you choose must be right for you and right for your current needs. You may have had some idea of what you wanted last year. Next year you may need something different. But the only one that is best for you is what is right for you right now! The convenience and luxury of a large Class A motorhome may be very appealing, but if you want to camp in primitive forest service campgrounds, you may need a smaller unit to comply with length restrictions and negotiating narrow, winding access roads.  A tent trailer or teardrop trailer can usually be towed behind all but the smallest vehicles and can often be stored in your garage.  An RV usually combines many of the basic equipment you need (shelter, food storage, food prep, comfortable sleeping accommodations, etc).

There is another shelter options to get you started enjoying the camping experience:  rent a cabin in a KOA or other campground.  That way you have a base of operations that will be a little more familiar while you explore the fun of campfires and other camping related activities.

OHVing. Like anything else, your choice of an OHV is a very personal matter. What works for me won't necessarily work for you. You need to consider your physical capabilities along with the kind of terrain and weather where you expect to be using your OHV. Dirt bikes are the favorite of my family. They are highly maneuverable, but they require physical strength and stamina. It is said that Supercross, the ultimate professional dirt bike racing event, is THE most physically demanding sport in the world. ATVs are more stable except when crossing a slope, require less physical capabilities, and can haul more gear and equipment. I often see ATV riders who are otherwise wheel-chair bound. ATVs also deliver a little better performance in soft terrain such as mud, sand, and snow, especially if they are equipped with four wheel drive. The OHV you choose depends on what seems fun to you, where you'll be using it, and how much you can afford to spend. New OHVs of just about any type are fairly expensive. Used OHVs may have mechanical problems associated with ordinary wear and tear or abuse but can often be a good buy. Be careful when buying a used OHV. Check it over carefully and if you have any concerns, have it checked by a competent mechanic. What you spend on a pre-purchase inspection could save you hundreds of dollars in repairs. I have had very good luck purchasing used dirt bikes over the years. I have had to pass on a few along the way that didn't seem to be in satisfactory condition. If the engine starts easily and runs smoothly without expelling clouds of smoke or steam out the exhaust and the clutch, brake, and transmission work smoothly, it is probably OK, but a mechanic can do extended tests to make sure. If the fenders or other plastic parts are badly damaged or the tires worn out, it may have had heavy or abusive use that could lead to premature failure. There are plenty of legitimate bargains out there, so don't throw your money away on a beat up unit just because it is cheap. In the long run it may be less costly to pay more for a better machine. A reputable dealer will often offer a limited warranty and will have performed, at the very least, certain tests required by law to ensure the basic safety of the machine. Often they will have done a lot more because they want their customers to be happy and they don't want the cost of having to do warranty work. Expect to pay more at a dealer than you will pay for the same unit from a private party. Buying from a dealer may also help you to establish a relationship that can yield on-going benefits. Some dealers offer purchasers of vehicles discounts on merchandise, supplies, and services. The more you buy from a dealer, the more likely you will get rewards. Two critical criteria when purchasing an OHV: 1) It should fit you well and you should be comfortable on it and 2) it should be fun to ride! I was offered a great deal on a bigger, newer, and nicer dirt bike when I bought my first one, but I turned it down because I wasn't comfortable on it. Ever worn a pair of shoes that didn't fit? Not comfortable and I'll bet you didn't wear them very long or very often. Your OHV will be the same way. If it doesn't feel good, you won't enjoy it and you won't ride it.

What? Go for it!